Good point Adam. I can store the rock in a tank at home until we're ready. Sunday, Vince and i will be heading to Syracuse to get the water tested and we'll stop by Larrybird to pick up the rock. Do you have any time Saturday to work on the tank? What did you have in mind for the electrics?
zoo tank updates
- Thread starter drbronx
- Start date
frankandmaura
New member
No you are not missing something...you just have to call or email...they are still working on that part of their website. If you are interested I can give them a call.
Piazzon12
New member
I'll be on a wine tour all day sat... so that's out. I'll be in sunday hopefully earlyish. Jerry, did you buy any black paint or the 3/4' tube?? I could do the painting and other stuff.
I was just thinking we need make sure the electrical is easily accessible (to both the existing and new tank), and mount a power strip for the seahorse tank. That can probably be simply mounted on the wall under the tank. Also, I think we need to rethink/redesign the hood slightly, and probably mount the ballasts elsewhere. It will probably be best to simply remove the whole backside of the hood for access.
Off the top of my head, supplies we need are:
black paint ( I used every last drop of mine on my stand/hood)
about 8' of 3/4" tube
a 200 W heater
a power strip (or extension cord to feed the top off and we can use that one)
Light timers
I have 2 or 3 new 55W German style 10K PCs, but we will need an actinic.
I also have 40lb caribsea special grade reef sand.
I could pick up stuff on the way over if necessary.
Adam
I was just thinking we need make sure the electrical is easily accessible (to both the existing and new tank), and mount a power strip for the seahorse tank. That can probably be simply mounted on the wall under the tank. Also, I think we need to rethink/redesign the hood slightly, and probably mount the ballasts elsewhere. It will probably be best to simply remove the whole backside of the hood for access.
Off the top of my head, supplies we need are:
black paint ( I used every last drop of mine on my stand/hood)
about 8' of 3/4" tube
a 200 W heater
a power strip (or extension cord to feed the top off and we can use that one)
Light timers
I have 2 or 3 new 55W German style 10K PCs, but we will need an actinic.
I also have 40lb caribsea special grade reef sand.
I could pick up stuff on the way over if necessary.
Adam
I purchased black paint, brush and painters tape. I also purchased a 9 ft extension chord. I forgot to get the tubing but I will get that tomorrow. I have one light timer and will pick up one more. I will order a heater and one more bulb (thats straight pin correct)? I will leave the supplies at the zoo on saturday but I won't be at the zoo Sunday Syracuse. So anything you can do on Sunday would be great. I'll try to get the key for that front window or have them leave it for you.
RyanM
New member
I read through the post in the chem forum and noticed that bacteria may be a cause. If this is truly a possability then why not try some Red Slime remover. You dont have much in the way of corals to worry about. That is an antibiotic and just may kill any stray bacteria other than red slime as well. Onhe other note that I never thought about till after reading the chem post is the rubber maid tub. There have been at least a few people that said thier tubs leached chemicals in thier tank. Maybe the sump is leaching. Would be a last resort but somthing to think about.
Great idea Ryan! As it happens, we were going to do that anyway to address a cyano issue. So who knows. But who knows if these Otter bacteria are Graham Poisitive or Graham negative bacillum and which the Red Slime remover addresses. Personally, I think that the idea of some mammalian bacillum contaminating our tank is a bit of a reach but I guess one never knows. We will see what the tests show on Sunday. My own guess is that as the large volume of rock gradually breaks down it raises the ph which causes Ca to precipitate out. This would explain our generally high ph and the low calcium. Also the high levels of calcium carbonate forming on our equipment. Basically the whole thing is out of ionic balance. The sps are far more susceptible to such imbalance. The fish and softies are basically impervious to such effects. This has challenged even the great Randy=Holmes farley. At least we are not complete idiots.
Has anyone ever used this Caribsea South Seas Rock- It looks very porous and interesting shapes: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...andard&OVADID=27944121511&OVKWID=207584929011
sorry forgot the link http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...reen=PROD&Product_Code=C-00370&Category_Code=
I was at the zoo this AM. The zoo had an unofficial opening today (much to my surprise) and quite a few people were oggling at the tank. Funny thing, now several zoo staff are trying their hand with reef tanks. We are creating a monster.
Adam_ I left all the stuff I purchased under the seahorse tank. I opened the glass window and marked it with tape for painting. I didn't measure though so it may not be precise. I think the tubing I purchased is the right size.
Vince did a great job with the kalk/top-off system and it ap-pears to be running well.
I ran some tests- ph appears to be running quite high. I slowly added vinegar and kept testing. It took quite a bit to drop ph to normal levels. I think that is our problem. Consequently, Ca plummets. It was very low this am. The red slime treatment has reduced most cyano and reveals almost no coralline alge on the rock (no surprise there). Strangely, a couple of months ago we were getting good coralline growth.
I am now convinced the rock is the culprit but not because of toxins but ionic imbalance.
I am hoping to start switching out rock next weekend. Tomorrow I will get rock from Larrybird and I will order some base rock. After that process is complete we'll do a big water change and see what happens.
Adam_ I left all the stuff I purchased under the seahorse tank. I opened the glass window and marked it with tape for painting. I didn't measure though so it may not be precise. I think the tubing I purchased is the right size.
Vince did a great job with the kalk/top-off system and it ap-pears to be running well.
I ran some tests- ph appears to be running quite high. I slowly added vinegar and kept testing. It took quite a bit to drop ph to normal levels. I think that is our problem. Consequently, Ca plummets. It was very low this am. The red slime treatment has reduced most cyano and reveals almost no coralline alge on the rock (no surprise there). Strangely, a couple of months ago we were getting good coralline growth.
I am now convinced the rock is the culprit but not because of toxins but ionic imbalance.
I am hoping to start switching out rock next weekend. Tomorrow I will get rock from Larrybird and I will order some base rock. After that process is complete we'll do a big water change and see what happens.
Piazzon12
New member
I spent a few hours at the zoo this AM... The black paint may need a little touchup, but other than that, I think we are about ready to fill the seahorse tank.
There were actually quite a few poeple at the zoo today suprisingly....
I think we need to rethink our latch to the door above the main tank as it's being left unlocked, and someone actually even opened it when I was there. It's nearly impossible to access now, with the lighting etc. in the way. I think we could add a simple slide bolt or something.
Also, it is already very hot and humid down there, and I think we may need to get that exhaust fan going here soon.
Adam
There were actually quite a few poeple at the zoo today suprisingly....
I think we need to rethink our latch to the door above the main tank as it's being left unlocked, and someone actually even opened it when I was there. It's nearly impossible to access now, with the lighting etc. in the way. I think we could add a simple slide bolt or something.
Also, it is already very hot and humid down there, and I think we may need to get that exhaust fan going here soon.
Adam
Thanx tons Adam! Can someone get over there ASAP to install a slide bolt or any equivalent?
Vince, Dave and I picked up an incredible 36lb piece of live rock that will be the center piece for the sea horse tank. It will just require a few other pieces to brace the rock. We also picked up some live rock from larrybird. I have the live rock ina 55 gallon tank with lighht and power heads until I can get them to the zoo. I will plan on filling the seahorse tank on Friday and Saturday. Tim can order us some ORA cultured seahorses in a couple of weeks that are guaranteed to eat frozen mysis.
I will bring down a bucket or two of water from my tanks on Friday. paul also mentioned he could. I will also bring down some live sand. If others could chip in some live sand that would be great..
Vince, Dave and I picked up an incredible 36lb piece of live rock that will be the center piece for the sea horse tank. It will just require a few other pieces to brace the rock. We also picked up some live rock from larrybird. I have the live rock ina 55 gallon tank with lighht and power heads until I can get them to the zoo. I will plan on filling the seahorse tank on Friday and Saturday. Tim can order us some ORA cultured seahorses in a couple of weeks that are guaranteed to eat frozen mysis.
I will bring down a bucket or two of water from my tanks on Friday. paul also mentioned he could. I will also bring down some live sand. If others could chip in some live sand that would be great..
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